Local Government Studies, 36(6), December 2010, pp.723-737.
Publisher:
Routledge
After a period of significant local government reform in the UK, the last decade has seen political leadership become a key element of central government's attempts to modernise local government. This approach emphasises strong and visible leadership and the role of leaders and leadership in driving change. This article draws upon interviews with nearly thirty individuals in leadership positions...
After a period of significant local government reform in the UK, the last decade has seen political leadership become a key element of central government's attempts to modernise local government. This approach emphasises strong and visible leadership and the role of leaders and leadership in driving change. This article draws upon interviews with nearly thirty individuals in leadership positions in local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to assess their experiences of leadership and their views of some aspects of the role and work of councils. The responses suggest that there are significant levels of convergence between the aspirations of government and the narratives that emerge from these leaders on some aspects of local political leadership. However there are also differences, most notably over the relationship between changes to decision-making structures and the loci of political power.
Subject terms:
leadership, local authorities, local government, local government policy, policy formulation, decision making;
Local Government Studies, 30(1), Spring 2004, pp.36-50.
Publisher:
Routledge
Following the 1997 general election New Labour took power with a commitment to 'modernising' government. This modernisation was based upon a variety of approaches including the introduction of new decision-making structures, improving local democracy, improving local financial accountability, creating a new ethical framework for councillors and council employees and improving local services. It is with the first two of these and their potential impact upon women councillors that this article is concerned. It analyses past evidence on women's participation in local government in the UK and examines the impact of the new political structures on progression to senior posts in local government.
Following the 1997 general election New Labour took power with a commitment to 'modernising' government. This modernisation was based upon a variety of approaches including the introduction of new decision-making structures, improving local democracy, improving local financial accountability, creating a new ethical framework for councillors and council employees and improving local services. It is with the first two of these and their potential impact upon women councillors that this article is concerned. It analyses past evidence on women's participation in local government in the UK and examines the impact of the new political structures on progression to senior posts in local government.
Subject terms:
leadership, local government, management, organisational structure, women, gender;